Sewer problems are no fun to deal with. They can be costly to repair, and they can cause a lot of damage to your home -- which you also need to repair! It's a good idea to have routine sewer inspections conducted so that sewer problems are detected sooner rather than later. But just what problems can a sewer inspection detect?
Leaks
You would think you'd notice a sewage leak right away. It would spill water all over your floor or walls, right? Well... not necessarily. A lot of leaks happen in the below-ground pipes that lead into your home, so while they may result in wet spots in the soil, they don't cause noticeable symptoms in your home until they have grown quite large.
In the meantime, they have just been dripping away. A video inspection of your sewer line can locate these leaks before they become too large, giving you the chance to repair them and minimize damage. It's also cheaper to repair a tiny leak than to replace a large, corroded section of pipe that has been leaking for years.
Crushed Pipes
You've probably been told not to park or drive over the areas where your sewer lines are located. But you don't know if the old homeowners followed this rule, and sometimes friends may park in your lawn without asking. In doing so, they may crush one of the sewer pipes, which restricts the flow of waste through it. If the pipe is not badly crushed, you may not be getting sewage backups yet -- but all it takes is some toilet paper in the right place, and your sewage will stop draining.
Pipe Material
Years ago, sewer lines were made from cast iron. At one point, clay lines were popular, and modern lines are now made from PVC. Even if you have a drawing of your home indicating the original type of sewer line, the line may have been changed by a subsequent homeowner. Knowing what type of sewer line you have is helpful because you will then know what type of problems to watch out for. For example, if you have a PVC pipe, you know that a crushed pipe is more likely. If you have a cast iron one, you know that it may eventually corrode. With clay, you have to worry about tree roots growing through it.
Talk to a sewer inspection company like Equisure Inspectors to learn more about their findings and the importance of regular inspections.
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